You probably recognize Sarah Polley from Go, the fast-paced, drug-hazed 1999 film in which she bug-eyes her way across the screen as a waifish, self-possessed vixen who hunts down, does, and sells a variety of substances. In real life, the young Canadian actress ditched high school for good at 14 to become a social activist, fighting for equal access to health care and an end to homelessness. Now, Polley has added a new cause to her agenda: giving a boost to New England’s women filmmakers.

At the Canadian Film Center, where she’s currently a student, Polley shot her directorial debut, a 37-minute work focusing on the wrenching nature of lost love. Titled I Shout Love, the short will kick off a benefit for "Rewind/Fast Forward: 20+ Years of Work," a week-long festival promoting local women auteurs, sponsored by Women in Film & Video/New England (WIFV/NE). Following the screening of her own film and a few others, the actress-cum-director-cum-rabble-rouser will open the floor for any and all questions.

WIFV/NE’s freshman president, Amy Geller, tempted the indie star to cross the border after meeting her at a festival in Toronto. "She’s kind of an idol of mine," Geller says in a verbal swoon. "I saw her across the room, and I knew I needed to talk to her. I was very nervous. But she was really nice, really down-to-earth, a wonderful person. I told her about this film festival, and she said she was very interested in coming."

Post-Polley, the festival, which runs through February 2, will showcase the early work of 16 local female filmmakers. "There are lesbian films, there are films of people of color, Jewish films — there’s really an exciting mix for everybody," explains Geller. "It’s a celebration of the history of women’s cinema. The idea came out of the need to show [works] which really haven’t been screened in over a decade here in Boston and bring these filmmakers back; some of their best work is early stuff."

One such film is Joyce Chopra’s 1986 feature Smooth Talk, an adaptation of a short story by Joyce Carol Oates that stars a very young Laura Dern. Also of note is Nancy Porter’s 1975 A Woman’s Place Is in the House, a documentary tribute to Elaine Noble, the first open lesbian elected to the Massachusetts State Legislature. Geller says Noble may attend the screening of Porter’s film.

The festival will also include a variety of talks and programs. Information on ticket prices, venues, and screening times can be found on WIFV/NE’s Web site at www.wifvne.org.

"An Evening with Sarah Polley" will take place Monday, January 28, at 7 p.m., at the Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle Street, Cambridge. Tickets are $12 ($10 for members) and can be purchased at the Brattle Theatre box office. Call (617) 491-5222 for more information.